Abstract
A two-layer model of soil hydrology and thermodynamics is combined with a one-dimensional model of the planetary boundary layer to study various interactions between evolution of the boundary layer and soil moisture transport. Boundary-layer moistening through surface evaporation reduces the potential and actual surface evaporation as well as the boundary-layer growth. With more advanced stages of soil drying, the restricted surface evaporation allows greater sensible heat flux which enhances boundary-layer growth and entrainment drying.
Special individual cases are studied where the wind speed is strong, solar radiation is reduced, transpiration is important, the soil is thin, or the soil is covered with organic debris.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Al Nakshabandi, G. and Kohnke, H.: 1965, ‘Thermal Conductivity and Diffusivity of Soils as Related to Moisture Tension and Other Physical Properties’, Agric. Meteorol. 2, 271–279.
Brenner, S., Yang, C.-H., and Mitchell, K.: 1984, The AFGL Global Spectral Modet: Expanded Resolution Baseline Version, Report No. AFGL-TR-84–0308, 72pp. [Air Force Geophysics Laboratory/LYP, Hascom AFB, MA 01731, U.S.A.].
Clapp, R. B. and Hornberger, G. M.: 1978, ‘Empirical Equations for Some Soil Hydraulic Properties’, Water Resources Res. 14, 601–604.
Deardorff, J.: 1978, ‘Efficient Prediction of Ground Surface Temperature and Moisture with Inclusion of a Layer of Vegetation’, J. Geophys. Res. 83, 1889–1903.
DeBruin, H. A. R.: 1983, ‘A Model for the Priestly-Taylor Parameter α’, J. Cli. Appl. Meteorol. 22, 572–578.
DeVries, D. A.: 1975, ‘Heat Transfer in Soils’, in D. A. DeVries and N. H. Afgan (eds.), Heat and Mass Transfer in the Biosphere, Scripta Book Co., Washington, D.C., pp. 5–28.
Holtslag, A. A. M. and Van Ulden, A. P.: 1983, ‘A Simple Scheme for Daytime Estimates of Surface Fluxes from Routine Weather Data’, J. Cli. Appl. Meteorol. 22, 517–529.
Hunt, B. G.: ‘A Model Study of Some Aspects of Soil Hydrology Relevant to Climatic Modelling’, Quart. J. R. Meteorol. Soc. 111, 1071–1085.
Leyton, L., Reynolds, E. R. C., and Thompson, F. B.: 1967, ‘Rainfall Interception in Forest and Moorland’, in W. E. Sopper and H. W. Lull (eds.), Forest Hydrology, Pergamon, Oxford, pp. 163–178.
Mahrt, L.: 1976, ‘Mixed Layer Moisture Structure’, Mon. Wea. Rev. 104, 1403–1407.
Mahrt, L. and Ek, M.: 1984, ‘The Influence of Atmospheric Stability on Potential Evaporation’, J. Cli. Appl. Meteorol. 23, 222–234.
MahrtL., and Pan, H.-L.: 1984, ‘A Two-Layer Model of Soil Hydrology’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 29, 1–20.
McCumber, M. C. and Pielke, R. A.: 1981, ‘Simulation of the Effects of Surface Fluxes of Heat and Moisture in a Mesoscale Numerical Model Soil Layer’, J. Geophys. Res. 86, 9929–9938.
McNaughton, J. L.: 1976, ‘Evaporation and Advection. I. Evaporation from Extensive Homogeneous Surfaces’, Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc. 102, 181–191.
Oke, T.: 1978, Boundary Layer Climates, Methuen, London, 372 pp.
Rutter, A. J., Kershaw, K. A., Robins, P. C., and Morton, A. J.: 1971, ‘A Predictive Model of Rainfall Interception in Forests, 1. Derivation of the Model From a Plantation of Corsican Pine’, Agric. Meteorol. 9, 367–384.
Troen, I. and Mahrt, L.: 1986, ‘A Simple Model of the Boundary Layer: Sensitivity to Surface Evaporation’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 37, 129–148.
Van Bavel, C. H. M. and Hillel, D. I.: 1976, ‘Calculating Potential and Actual Evaporation from a Bare-Soil Surface by Simulation of Concurrent Flow of Water and Heat’, Agric. Meteorol. 17, 453–476.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pan, HL., Mahrt, L. Interaction between soil hydrology and boundary-layer development. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 38, 185–202 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00121563
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00121563